Device to increase muscle focus using touch

ABSTRACT

This invention provides touch stimulation to allow the wearer to feel where the muscle contraction should occur. The present invention relates to a device to increase muscle focus using touch in which a band placed in contact with the body part to be exercised includes a focus point device. A focus point device can be removably attached to the band. The focus point device can be formed of a rigid or flexible material. For example, the focus point device can be formed in the shape of a half sphere including a plurality of blunt protrusions on the round half of the sphere.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/492,481, filed Jun. 2, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device to increase muscle focus using touch.

2. Description of the Related Art

Exercise of a particular muscle group is often desirable. The goal of any specific exercise is to strengthen a particular muscle or group of muscles. Often, exercises are done incorrectly by focusing on and contracting the wrong muscles. For example, during rehabilitation of an injured body part, it is desirable to direct the patient to focus on the particular injured body part during exercise.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,170 describes an apparatus and method for improving the effectiveness of exercise by providing an exercise equipment such as weights or weight machines with a vibration means to impart a vibration to the user in which energy for the vibration means is provided by a movement or movements of the user. The vibration is caused by rollers that are rotated by a cable or belt attached to the resistance means. The vibration is passed from the belt to handgrips attached to the belt.

It is desirable to provide an improved, cost effective apparatus to increase muscle focus during exercises, which do not require weights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device to increase muscle focus using touch in which a band placed in contact with the body part to be exercised includes a focus point device. In one embodiment, the band is made of materials with elastic nature as to not restrict movement in any way during exercise of the muscle entrained by the band. The band can be elastic and include areas of an attaching material placed around the inside of the band. Each end of the band can include an attaching material for attaching the ends of the band together to create a closed loop. Suitable materials for the attaching material include a hoop or loop material, such as VELCRO®. The band can be formed in various lengths to support different body parts. In one embodiment, the band can include evenly spaced areas of the attachment material along the length of the band.

The focus point device can be formed of a rigid or flexible material. For example, the focus point device can be formed in the shape of a half sphere including a plurality of blunt protrusions on the round half of the sphere. The flat half of the sphere can include an attachment material for attaching to an attachment area of the band. The focus point device can be placed adjacent the muscle that is desired to have stimulation to provide the mental focus. A plurality of focus point devices can be removably attached to various locations of the attachment areas of the band.

The band can be placed around the body part in a way that it is tight, but not restrictive of muscle movements or hinder circulation. The band can be tight enough where full range of motion for the specific exercise can be performed, without the band moving. The focus point device(s) are placed in between the band and the muscle where focus is desired to provide touch stimulation as a reference point for the wearer. During use, a user would place the band around the body part containing the muscle to be focused on. The focus point or points would be placed on the muscle or muscles that focus is desired, and then the user would perform an exercise.

In an alternate embodiment, fixed or relocatable focus point devices can be coupled or integral within various clothing items such as shirts, pants, and the like, to provide touch stimulation to the wearer.

This device can easily be used for medical and physical rehabilitation and therapy to provide patients with additional focus to strengthen key muscles.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention shown in use in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a band used in the device.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the band.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the band.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a focus point device used in the device.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the focus point device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of device 10 to increase muscle focus using touch during use in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Device 10 can be placed around the body part in such a way that it is tight, but not restrictive of muscle movements or hinder circulation. For example, device 10 can be placed around arm 11.

Device 10 can include band 12 and focus point device 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Band 12 can be formed of flexible or elastic material 20. Attachment material 16 can be placed at various attachment areas around the length of inner surface 17 of band 12, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. In one embodiment, attachment material 16 can be placed evenly at various attachment areas 15 a-m around the length of band 12. For example, attachment material 16 can be a hook or loop fastener material, such as VELCRO®.

Attachment material 16 can be positioned on inner surface 17 at end 19 of band 12. Attachment material 18 can be positioned on outer surface 21 at end 23 of band 12. Attachment material 16 attached at end 19 can adhere to attachment material 18 at end 23 for attaching end 19 of band 12 to end 23 of band 12. For example, attachment material 18 can be a hook or loop fastener material, such as VELCRO®. Attachment material 16 and attachment material 18 can be coupled to band 12, for example by sewing or an adhesive.

Focus point device 14 includes base 24 and one or more focus points 22 extending from base 24. In one embodiment, base 24 has a shape of a half sphere. Focus points 22 can be blunt protrusions on upper surface 25 of base 24. For example, focus points 22 can be round nubs. Focus point device 14 can be formed of a rigid or flexible material.

In an alternate embodiment, focus points 22 can provide vibration. The vibration can be either constant or pulsating. In this embodiment, focus points 22 can be battery operated.

Bottom surface 27 of base 24 can include attaching material 18 for attaching to attachment material 18 of base 24 to one of attachment area 15 a-15 m of band 12. One or more focus point devices 14 can be removably attached to various attachment areas 15 a-15 m of band 12. Focus point device 14 can be placed adjacent the muscle that is desired to have stimulation to provide the mental focus.

Band 12 can be placed around the body part in a way that it is tight, but not restrictive of muscle movements or hinder circulation. Band 12 upon application can be tight enough where full range of motion for the specific exercise can be performed, without the band moving. During use, a user would place band 12 around the body part containing the muscle to be focused on, such as arm 11. One are more focus points 22 would be placed on the muscle or muscles that focus is desired, and then the user would perform an exercise.

In an alternate embodiment, fixed or relocatable focus point devices 14 can be coupled or integral within various clothing items such as shirts, pants, and the like to provide touch stimulation to the wearer.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A device to increase muscle focus using touch comprising: a focus point device, said focus point device including one or more blunt protrusions, wherein said focus point device is adapted to be positioned to contact the muscle.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a band, said band including one or more attachment areas on an inner surface, the focus point device being removably attached to the one or more attachment areas.
 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of focus point devices each of the focus point devices being removably attached to the one or more attachment areas.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said one or more attachment areas include a hook or loop material and said focus point device includes a hook or loop material, said hook or loop material of said one or more attachment areas being attached to the hook or loop material of the focus point device.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said focus point device includes a half spherical base and said one or more blunt protrusions extending from a rounded top portion of said spherical base.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said one or more attachment areas include a hook or loop material and said focus point device includes a hook or loop material on a rear portion, said hook or loop material of said one or more attachment areas being attached to the hook or loop material of the focus point device.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein a first attachment material is positioned on an inner surface of a first end of the band and a second attachment material is positioned on an outer surface of a second end of the band, wherein said first attachment material can be adhered to said second attachment material adapted for attaching the band to a body part.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the first attachment material and the second attachment material is a hook or loop material.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the focus point device provides vibration.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the vibration is constant or pulsating.
 11. A method for increasing muscle focus comprising: attaching a focus point device adjacent the muscle; and performing an exercise, wherein the focus point device touches the muscle during the exercise.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the focus point device is attached with a band, said band including one or more attachment areas on an inner surface, the focus point device being removably attached to the one or more attachment areas.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of focus point devices each of the focus point devices being removably attached to the one or more attachment areas.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said one or more attachment areas include a hook or loop material and said focus point device includes a hook or loop material, said hook or loop material of said one or more attachment areas being attached to the hook or loop material of the focus point device.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein said focus point device includes a half spherical base and said one or more blunt protrusions extending from a rounded top portion of said spherical base.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said one or more attachment areas include a hook or loop material and said focus point device includes a hook or loop material on a rear portion, said hook or loop material of said one or more attachment areas being attached to the hook or loop material of the focus point device.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein a first attachment material is positioned on an inner surface of a first end of the band and a second attachment material is positioned on an outer surface of a second end of the band, wherein said first attachment material can be adhered to said second attachment material adapted for attaching the band to a body part.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first attachment material and the second attachment material is a hook or loop material.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising vibrating the attached focus point device during the step of performing an exercise.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the vibration is constant or pulsating. 